PMQT Written Answers – 8 June 1993

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 8th June 1993.

PRIME MINISTER:

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 8 June.

Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 8 June.

The Prime Minister : This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

Mr. Ghazanfer Ali

Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 195, what further information he has received concerning Ghazanfer Ali and the progress of his case; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 27 May 1993] : The two murder cases involving Mr. Ghazanfer Ali which opened on 13 and 14 March have been further adjourned until 13 and 29 June respectively. We understand from one of Mr. Ghazanfer Ali’s lawyers that no evidence has yet been heard in the case. We understand that the court was ready to record the statement of the respondent at a hearing on 6 June, but witnesses failed to appear in court.

Iraq (Children)

Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what response he has given to the report sent to him by Dr. Eric Hoskins, Oxford epidemiologist, commissioned by UNICEF on the children of Iraq.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 7 June 1993] : Dr. Hoskins’s report contains disturbing information about the suffering in Iraq. It reinforces our view that the responsibility for this lies with the Government of Iraq rather than with UN sanctions regime. Baghdad has imposed an internal economic blockade on northern Iraq, and has refused to implement the mechanisms provided under UN Security Council resolutions 706 and 712 for using the proceeds of oil sales for humanitarian needs, such as food and medicines, which are not covered by sanctions.